One World Observatory
A premier indoor observation deck, One World Observatory spans across three storeys and sits reputedly atop one of the most prominent NYC buildings, the One World Trade Center. Once on the deck, you can get experience looking at the city’s skyline like never before. Enjoy an unobstructed 360-degree view of the city with top city landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge in view that are easy to spot.
Going upwards to the deck via the Skypods, visitors also witness a surreal time lapse experience ascending more than 100 floors in just a few seconds. What’s more, you can also rent an iPad here at a nominal cost for easy identification of landmarks as you look around. Your time at the observatory is further made worthwhile with access to the Sky Portal that provides unmatched high-definition views of the streets underneath. All you need is a pre-booked One World Observatory ticket to get set for this experience of a lifetime.
At-a-Glance
With ethereal 360-degree views from indoors, experiencing time-lapse with SkyPod Elevators, looking 100 storeys straight down from the Sky Portal or enjoying interactive exhibits on the way; a visit to One World Observatory is an all-in-one experience worth having.
- Location: Located on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of One World Trade Center on 117 West Street, New York.
- Height: Has a towering height of 1,250 feet above sea level.
- Width: The observatory has a square footprint of 200x200 feet at its base floor while tapering upwards into a smaller square rotated to 45 degrees.
- Construction period: Starting from April 2006, construction of the One World Observatory took about 8 years, completing in November 2014.
- Designer: Designed by David Childs, a famous architect of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM).
- Timings: The One World Observatory timings typically range from 9.00 AM to 9.00 PM every day; last entry by 8.00 PM .
- Entry fee: The One World Observatory entry fee starts from USD 44 approximately for adults and varies with access preferences, age and any special offers.
- Number of floors: It spans across three floors of the One World Trade Center, floors 100, 101 and 102.
- How To Reach: Easy to reach via subway stations with Fulton Street, Chambers St. Rector Street stations, etc. located a few minutes of walking distance away.
- Best time to visit: The early morning and late afternoon hours mark the best time for visiting the observatory to get an unforgettable glimpse of the city’s skyline with golden sunrise and sunset hours offering unique views of the cityscape.
- Accessibility: You can access the One World Observatory via the West Street entrance to the tower, where you can get on a SkyPod Elevator to reach the observation deck at 100th level.
- What you can see: From the top of the observatory, you get to capture a 360-degree panorama with sightings of iconic city landmarks like Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Hudson River, the Manhattan skyline and even a glimpse of New Jersey.
Access and Tickets
Level 100: You can get in the fast SkyPod Elevator to reach floor 100 of One World Observatory to get unforgettable views of city landmarks in Manhattan and beyond. Standard One World Observatory entry ticket for the deck visit starts from USD 39 approximately for adults with varying One World Observatory prices for VIP and other access categories.
Level 101: You can use the same SkyPod Elevator to access level 101 of the observatory, with tickets for the level starting at around 39-49 USD. Skip the line options and guided tours are also available at this level, with One World Observatory online tickets booking recommendation in advance.
Level 102: To reach observatory level 102, you can get a basic entry ticket with One World Observatory fee starting from approximately USD 39, which also gives access to floors 100 and 101. A 47-second SkyPod Elevator ride takes you through a time-lapse journey up to the 102nd floor for panoramic views of the city from the highest point of this observatory.
Features on Each Level
Level 100: Housing the main observation deck of One World Observatory, Level 100 offers a 360-degree view of NYC’s skyscape along with a glimpse of the harbour. The 14-foot circular Sky Portal is also located on this floor, offering high-definition views of the streets underneath. City Pulse here is a multimedial experience worth having.
Level 101: Along with the mesmerising views of the city, you can spot top landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building from the indoor observatory here. Enjoy at the See Forever Theatre and experience plush dining at ONE Dine, an upscale restaurant and bar needing a separate advance reservation for access.
Level 102: The level offers sweeping views of the cityscape with unobstructed floor-to-ceiling visibility. The enclosed observatory offers the most intimate viewing experience from above 1,250 feet. You can also enjoy refreshments at the ONE Mix bar here.
Interesting Facts
- A Unique Indoor Experience: With a One World Observatory ticket, you can get a unique 360-degree view of the Manhattan district and the city’s skyline underneath from indoors, unlike other popular skydecks in NYC..
- Curvature of the Earth: The Earth’s curvature is faintly visible at the distance with panoramic views of the distant horizon.
- Distance to Horizon: At about 50+ miles from the One World Observatory, you can spot the horizon merging the sky with the cityscape.
- Highest Observation Deck in Western Hemisphere: Enjoy viewing the cityscape and capturing impressive frames from the highest observation deck of the Western Hemisphere.
- Wind Factor: With a completely indoor observatory, the wind exposure for visitors is absent here, although the tower’s reinforced structure is designed to withstand up to 2 kPa of wind load.
- Elevator Speed: Among the fastest elevators of the world, the Skypod Elevators here reach the 102nd floor in 47 seconds, giving a time-lapse experience of the views outside.
- Glass Sky Portal: A transparent glass disc extending 14 foot in width, the Sky Portal offers an unforgettable, high-definition view of the city streets 100 storeys down with a thrilling skywalk experience.
- Symbolic Height: The One World Trade Centre building, in which this observatory is housed, stands tall at 1,776 feet, a height symbolic of the year for American Declaration of Independence .
Attractions & Facilities
Shopping malls: You can buy exclusive souvenirs such as branded merchandise and keepsakes at the One World Gallery located above the observatory and take back home precious memories of the visit. For premier shopping nearby, go to Westfield World Trade Center located at The Oculus. Nearby, Brookfield Place is also a great luxury retail destination and houses high-end boutiques, also offering other immersive activities .
Restaurants and cafes: Enjoy curated meals with cocktails at ONE Dine restaurant and bar on the observatory’s 101st floor for a refined American taste with enigmatic views of Manhattan. You can also enjoy fine dining at other nearby restaurants.
Nearby Attractions
9/11 Memorial and Museum: You can spot the 9/11 Memorial and Museum from the observatory itself. Sitting to the south from the Observatory, this iconic landmark is a must-visit for its interactive exhibits and the various personal artifacts telling the tales of 9/11 horrors.
Brookfield Place: An upscale shopping and dining hub, Brookfield Place is easily accessible from One World Observatory, situated across the West Side Highway. You can also get unforgettable views of the marine from here and splurge on luxury fashion clothing, accessories and shoes.
The Oculus: An architectural marvel located in the heart of NYC, The Oculus is a popular transit hub known for its white-ribbed design. You can also explore retail shopping here and gain lively dining experiences with delectable food at various cafes here.
How to Book One World Observatory
Ease your experience at One World Observatory by making advance booking of your tickets online via MakeMyTrip. Here’s the list of steps to follow to book your One World Observatory tickets online.
Select the Date: Begin your One World observatory ticket booking on the portal by selecting a suitable date for the visit with available slots.
Choose Pricing: Next, pick the ticket type that you need and check the One World Observatory ticket price options. The One World Observatory price can vary based on your access preferences.
Click on the Continue Button: Proceed to confirm your choice of One World Observatory ticket by selecting ‘Continue’.
Select Traveller Number: Next, enter the number of travellers visiting, including adults and children.
Click on the Time Slot (If Available): From the available One World Observatory timings, you can then pick a suitable slot available for your visit.
Provide Traveller Details: Also, enter all required traveller details, like name of travellers, date of birth, gender, etc.
Add PAN Details: You would also need to verify the entries and ensure a secure booking of the One World Observatory tickets by entering your PAN details.
Click on Pay Now and Complete Booking: At last, review your entries, select a preferred payment method and click on ‘Pay Now’ to make a secure payment of the One World Observatory entry charges to complete your booking.
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